When democracy become the raison d'Ítre

Democracy is the religion of the USA and its allies. They often preach and forced many countries to adopt a more democratic system of governance or risk being isolated or worst, being attacked. With the idea of democracy, they are pushing for a more transparent and accountable government that respect human rights, allowed the people a greater participation and say in the running of the government and in short, a country ruled by the people. It sounds so good, so ideal and so noble. In fact, too good to be true.

Democracy is the mask behind every Western greed and ambitions. Democracy become the overuling justification to force a change in the government in any country by military actions. As the American "promote"the doctrine of democracy, they are actually expanding their share of interest, influence, which I would like to call Pax Americana, Pax Europa and so on.

Looking at Middle East, the justification of the invasion of Iraq was that Saddam Hussein possessed weapon of mass destruction and to promote democracy within the Iraqi people. But The fact is that Saddam Hussein had became a dictator since his accession as Iraq's president in 1979. Why did America not stop his violation and disregard for democracy in the 1980s? The answer is that the American and Europeans were afraid that Saddam Hussein would be a communist sympathizer and the USA think that USSR was a geater obstacle to its hagemony.

Saudi Arabia is currently still governed through the traditional dynastic means, does not practise democracy, does not allowed is people to elect any leaders and supressed the womans' freedom in the name of religion. However, since the constant supply of oil from Saudi and the support against the terrorism and radicalism against America is important, the Emirs are spared from the need to overhaul their government system. Saudi Arabian monarchy is untouched.

I am wondering why American keep on insisting Iraq, Iran and Myanmar to pursue democracy to give freedome to the people, while the neighboring countries with no democracy is not disturbed. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Fidel Castro of Cuba are two leaders in Latin America that openly defied the USA. One is dictator and one is communist. But why American does not try to invade those countries and uphold the democrary in those countries? Because Venezuela has oil, and Cuba is too near. Invasion of Cuba will be costly and will cause massive refugee migration into American soil.

What about American relation with China and Vietnam, both of which are communistic state and do not believe in freedom and rule of the people. America has been criticising both country for human rights track records, but still trade and invest in both countries. In fact, more American firms are investing in those countries rather than Indonesia, which democratic development is praised by American (during Condolezza Rice visit to Indonesia 2006).

All the examples above shows that democracy is just a mask, and not the guiding principle of American diplomatic engagement. In fact, deocracy is only a reason used to justify all of the western countries' actions, regardless whether it is lawful or otherwise.

I feel that democracy is not suited for many communities. Looking at Asia alone, how many countries that prospered after worshipping democracy? Indonesia in semi chaos. Thailand is in a mess. Philippines is unstable. India? Pakistan? Afganistan? New Iraq? Uzbekistan? Then what about Singapore and Japan? In Japan, I am not sure whether there exist a true form of democracy. LDP is the sole winner of all elections since the day election was interoduced, akin to Golkar Party during Suharto's administration. In Singapore, semi authoritatian government restrict the freedom of speech to hold the country intact. Most of the Asian countries that adopt democracy actually find more troubles in governance. This is what the westerners really wanted. They can fish easily in the murky waters. They can profit from the mess.

There is a Greek saying which said that Vox Populi Vox Dei. I strongly disagree. The past and present events suggest otherwise. Perhaps a more politically correct phrase is Vox America Vox Dei.